By Gabriela Baron
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) turned over the miniature version of the Building a Universal Mount for Heavy-Barrel Automated Weapon Integration (BUHAWI) to the Philippine Navy.
According to DOST, BUHAWI will strengthen the firepower capabilities of the Philippine Navy’s small patrol craft in defending the country’s littoral water territories.
BUHAWI, developed by the scientists and researchers from the DOST-Metals Industry Research and Development Center, is an automated gun mount for heavy barrel Browning 0.50 caliber machine guns.
Department of National Defense (DND) Sec. Delfin N. Lorenzana stressed that BUHAWI “would provide significant support to their Self-Reliant Defense Posture Program” (SRDP) which aims to be self-sufficient in basic military requirement by manufacturing its own weapons, small arms, and ammunition, tactical communications equipment, basic land vehicles, and small sea crafts, among others.
Lorenzana said BUHAWI would also give a significant boost to the SRDP which is the key to having a truly patriotic and independent defense sector, through self-manufacturing of original and indigenous defense material.
DOST Sec. Fortunato de la Peña said the project BUHAWI is aligned with one of the major priorities of the National Harmonized Research and Development Agenda in research and development in Human Security.
“With this, we will see the crucial roles of the Philippine Navy and private sectors concerned with our marine and seas as all of them will support the drive to make the Philippines a truly developed strong marine archipelagic nation,” de la Peña continued.
De la Peña added that the success of developing the BUHAWI project would enhance the potential of generating more jobs when the country eventually exports defense products.
“This is one of the projects we have worked on, and I am very glad hearing the positive feedback from the Philippine Navy.”
The Science chief bared the DOST is also working with the Philippine Navy on the project called Controller Operated Battle-Ready Armament (SOBRA) which will utilize mechatronics, robotics, and automation technologies. – ngs
